6 Home remedies for dry, chapped and cracked lips
Dr. D.Sendhil Nathan MDS, DNB Prosthodontics And Implantology
Skin peeling, dryness and cracks in the lips are very disgusting. As the skin in our lips is very thin, it can be easily triggered by various aggravating things in our environment. When the dryness in the lips extends to the underneath regions, it causes cracks in the lips.
The primary cause of such cracked and chapped lips is cold and dry air. You might get cracks over the lip surfaces in winter reason, Right?
Likewise, certain chemical components in the cosmetic appliances you are using also irritate the lip and cause dry, chapped lips.
You might aware of applying lips balms to cure this problem but it provides temporary relief not a long-lasting solution. Hydrating and nourishing your lips is the base remedy to cure lip dryness and its consequences.
In this article, our Dentists have provided some easy and proven remedies to treat dry, cracked lips at home.
Scrub the dried skin in lips naturally
You should peel the lips before moistening it. It is because the dead cells in the dry skin over the lips prevent the new skin present underneath the dried lip skin from moisturizing.
If you peel the skin with your hands, it will injure your lips. Hence we have recommended the following tips to exfoliate or remove the dead skin cells:
- Lip Scrub Paste – Mix 1 teaspoon of sea salt and honey of the same volume. Use a cotton bud to apply the paste over your lips and leave it for a few minutes.
- Lemon Juice – Take 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Add 1 teaspoon of honey to the extract and stir it well. Then apply the mixture on the lips and leave it for minimum 10 minutes.
Natural Remedies to get rid of dry, chapped lips
When you identify the peeled skin in lips is removed completely, you can apply any one of the following DIY remedies.
1) Oil
Minerals, nutrients and other organic compounds present in oils can correct various dental problems. Cracked lips are not an exception. The essential oils required for soothing and moisturizing dry lips are:
- Coconut oil – The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-staphylococcal properties of coconut oil can humidify our skin as well as boosting the skin to prevent bacterial infections. Massage your lips with coconut oil with the help of a cotton swab (cotton bud) or your finger.
- Almond Oil – The fatty acids present in this oil can evacuate the dryness in our body. Hence it is recommended as a solution for dry lips and dry hair. Similar to coconut oil, you can apply almond oil on your lips with your finger or cotton buds.
- Vitamin E Oil – The collagens present in this oil is effective to soothe the dry lips and help the skin renewal process.
2) Coriander Juice
The coriander leaves are a powerhouse of vitamin C, iron, antioxidants and beta-carotene. Chewing coriander leaves preserve the cells in our skin from oxidative stress. Thus you can prevent dry, chapped or cracked lips.
Likewise, crush some coriander leaves in a mixie to extract its juice and apply it on your lips for humidification.
3) Honey
Honey – The thick, viscous fluid is a power source of antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Besides these, it is rich in wound healing properties which make the sweet substance can heal the cracks in lips while moisturizing the lips.
Apply honey on the lips with your finger and keep it for hours. You can also keep the honey over your dry lips throughout a day.
4) Rose Petals and Milk Paste
Take a handful of rose petals and soak them in a cup of raw milk for a few hours. Then ground the soaked petals and apply the paste on the dry lips for 2 to 3 a day. Applying it before going to bed is also recommended.
The rose petals contain Vitamin E which nurtures the skin in lips. Likewise, milk contains lactic acid which can remove the dead cells and aids in exfoliation.
Apart from curing cracked lips, this approach also helps in softening and restoring the natural color of lips.
5) Cucumber
Cucumber is a highly nutritious edible and is well-known for its hydrating properties. Take a cucumber slice and rub the affected lips with the veggie. This nurtures the lips with essential vitamins and minerals while moistening the dried skin in lips.
You can also crush some cucumber slices and apply the paste over the chapped lips.
6) Aloe Vera Gel
The anti-inflammatory properties of Aloe Vera Gel have a great soothing effect on our dental health. Hence Dental Doctors prescribe this for treating dry lips, gum diseases and much more. The enzymes of Aloe vera gel have mild exfoliating agents. It takes care of removing the dead cells.
Extract the gel present in Aloe Vera Plant. Rub your lips with that gel. You should use aloe vera gel to hydrate lips in a limited manner because of its peeling properties.
Bottom line
Lips dryness is a warning sign with which we can diagnose our body is dehydrated.
Drinking plenty of water and taking high-fluid veggies, green tea are essential to prevent this oral problem as these actions help keep the moisture condition of our body.
Apart from dehydration, environmental changes and the body’s allergic reaction to cosmetic appliances also cause this problem. You cannot get a cure with water and fluids alone. Such dry, chapped and cracked lips mandate minerals along with hydrating agents to cure.
